Climate Commissions partner to tackle regional challenges through new Civic Exchange

Climate Commissions Director Rosa Foster has been made a Fellow of the new Civic Exchange initiative launched by the University of Leeds. 

The platform, aimed at strengthening partnerships and tackling key regional challenges across Yorkshire, was announced by the University of Leeds’ Vice Chancellor Professor Shearer West at an event attended by civic leaders in Leeds on 30 April. 

Describing what the Civic Exchange will do, Shearer West said: “It will provide a clear way into the University of Leeds, helping organisations navigate our expertise while strengthening collaboration and creating a more unified regional approach to addressing common challenges.”  

The platform builds on work already happening with the University’s partners in the key areas of health, business, community, climate, culture, local government, and education. 

Recognition of Climate Commissions’ work

The first contingent of Civic Exchange Fellows represents disciplines across the University, and all will be working to champion the civic mission, sharing insights, intelligence and expertise. 

Rosa Foster, who attended the event at Cloth Hall Court with colleagues from Leeds Climate Commission and Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, said:  

“It’s great recognition of all the hard work of so many partners and colleagues in our Climate Commissions over the last five to seven years. 

“Being part of the Civic Exchange will help me and my team access the knowledge and expertise and insights across the University more quickly, more effectively, and so help make both climate connections stronger and more impactful for our partners. 

“I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues to build multi-disciplinary collaborations with our partners so we can have more impact and create a better future for our communities and our businesses and society as a whole.” 

A vision of the future

Leeds Climate Commission was represented at the event showcase, which saw graphic artist James McKay bringing to life a vision of how Leeds could look in the future.  

The Commission is convenor of Leeds’ Sustainable Resilient City ambition, and the event provided an opportunity to interrogate attendees about what that meant for them and how they saw themselves contributing to it. 

Programme Manager Millie Duncan said: We’ve got a great opportunity to show the real value of the Commission and the networks and partnerships we’ve built over the years.  

 “We are painting a picture of what a future Leeds could look like and actions our partners and attendees today can take to work on this together.” 

Artist James McKay, who is well-known for his work painting people into imaginary scenarios based on real life, explained: “I’m making it futuristic by including lots of things that people have proposed as solutions to climate change.”

He based the painting of a positive, net-zero society on part of the Mabgate area of Leeds. “It’s quite interesting to see people’s reaction when it’s a place that they know, and when they can see themselves kind of walking through that street.  

“Sometimes I include the people in the picture, if they suggest something. If they say, ‘I’d like to cycle through that street’ I put them on a bicycle and give them a picture of themselves going through. And that kind of makes it immediate, makes it easier to think about the future when they’re in it.” 

Find out more about the work of Leeds Climate Commission and how you can get involved, and read more about the Civic Exchange here.